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How Junk Food Work?

Have you ever wondered what makes you crave junk food and how does it affect your brain?

Apparently, when eating junk food our sensations (how it tastes, smells, and how it feels in your mouth) and the integration of Fats, carbohydrates and proteins are what excites our brain and enhance the experience demanding us to ask for more. One of the most thrilling food to our brain is a crunchy shell stuffed with something soft or creamy like Oreo cookies and pizza. Also, food that melts fast in your mouth like chocolate indicates to your brain that’s what you're eating isn’t enough as it melts fast, although you are consuming a lot of calories so you can end up eating for eternity. Therefore, it was proved that consuming junk food constantly can lead to depression and nonstop cravings which obviously would end up damaging your health. Yet, countless junk food companies pay millions to trigger the right sensation that will gain them many craving costumers.  

But isn't it the time we get junk food out of our lives and not give them what they want?  

We all know how exhausting it is to follow a diet plan. However, what we will be suggesting are three simple steps:

1- The “5 ingredient rule” in where you avoid purchasing any products with more than 5 ingredients, as any product with more ingredients might be made to fool you into eating more and waking up your cravings.

2- Eat a variety of foods like replacing the crunchiness and creaminess of oreo with celery and hummus (trust me it's amazing) so, mixing food can work.

3-Stress, of course, is sometimes our main reason for craving junk food so finding a replacement to release the stress would help you a lot, for example, reading, exercising, napping, listening to music or many other hobbies.

In the end, it's your choice in which type of person you want to be and which lifestyle you will lead, for us we're just going to stick with our chocolate bars.  

-Sarah & Dima 

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Restaurant Review: Mirage Marine, UAE.

Winter? Hungry? Big group? Abu Dhabi?

If you answered yes to all or most of them, then we might know the right place for you. Mirage marine or just “mirage” in the way locals call it here is a very known café, crowded maybe but you’ll find a good service, very friendly staff and the right table with the great view of the sea, the fancy emirates palace and the bright moon, indoors or outdoors your choice. Also, if you’re accompanied with kids they have a nice and safe playground. Mirage is pretty much affordable comparing to its location and serves the best Lebanese and Italian food which will satisfy all your cravings. Many people go there for their shisha too. For their Lebanese food I would totally recommend the hummus, salad and for sure their grills just mentioning it makes me starve all over again, I haven’t tried anything Italian yet but would totally love to try some next time, and I’ll make sure to write you a review when I do. So, after all this place is a must when visiting Abu Dhabi and especially in winter it can’t be missed.    

Location: Beside Al Kareem Mosque, Corniche Road, Marine Village, Abu Dhabi

Here is an overall rating:

Food:4.5/5

Cleanliness:5/5

Service:5/5

Variety:4/5

overall:5/5

Hope you enjoy your weekend!

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Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE:

1 package (2 layer cake size) chocolate cake mix

1 package (3.9oz) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding mix

4 large eggs

1 container (8oz) sour cream

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup milk

1 package (4oz) semi-sweet chocolate bar, chopped

18 small candy canes, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)

FOR THE TOPPING:

1 package (4oz) semi-sweet chocolate bar

1/2 cup heavy cream

2 tub (8oz each) COOL WHIP, thawed

4 small candy canes, coarsely chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, beat cake mix with JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix, eggs, sour cream, oil, water, and milk. Blend completely for about 2-3 minutes. Fold in crushed candy canes and chopped chocolate.

Spray two 9inch cake pans with baking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Divide batter evenly into the pans.

Bake for 35-40 minutes and allow to cool about 5 minutes in the pan. Loosen cake from the sides and invert onto wire racks. Cool cakes COMPLETELY before frosting. We chilled our cake layers in the refrigerator for about an hour.

For the ganache, combine the chocolate with the heavy cream in a small glass bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir and heat an additional 30 seconds. Whisk until smooth.

Place bottom layer of cake on cake plate. Top with melted ganache. Allow to cool slightly before adding COOL WHIP. Spread 3/4 of one container on top of ganache. Top with the second layer of cake. Using the remaining COOL WHIP (from the first container and the second), spread evenly over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes for garnish.

Refrigerate cake until ready to serve. ENJOY

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50 Second Rosh HaShana Pomegranate Mojito Recipe

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Restaurant Review: Barbecue Nation, UAE.

Barbecue Nation: Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Truly a hidden gem in Ras Al Khaimah; one of the seven emirates!  This restaurant specializes in barbecued foods. Your table is equipped with a grill, and you are served with meaty goodness ready to grill! This restaurant caters for the vegetarians, too. They serve you with fresh veggies to grill and enjoy.

Not only does barbecue nation offer meat and vegetables to grill, it has a big buffet serving different dishes and foods, such as pasta, salads, rice, breads, etc.

They operate on a “eat as much as you can” basis, meaning they will serve you food until you ask for them to stop. You can grill your meat to your preference while enjoying a mojito, and if mojitos are not your cup of tea, then do not worry, they serve fizzy drinks, too. Not only that, but it is a great restaurant for some chit chatting and bonding time between you and your friends, colleagues, or family members. The waiters and servers are extremely nice, friendly, and are always willing to help.

The restaurant is located in Al Hamra Mall, Ras Al Khaimah. Here is an overall rating:

Food: 5/5!

Cleanliness: 5/5!

Service: 5/5!

Variety: 4.5/5

Overall experience: 5/5. We are definitely coming here again!

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^.^

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Colors & Food: Best friends?

Have you ever stopped for a second and questioned the meaning every color conveys? We’re here to answer that question for you!

We are surrounded by colors everywhere we go. They possess the power to make us feel certain emotions and feelings. However, colors incorporated in food are more than just shades and blushes, they play a bigger role; they have the power to totally diminish our appetite or intensify and stimulate it. This post will talk about the big role colors play in the food we eat!

1-   Red: a popular color that stands for multiple things. The color red has the power to make anyone hungry. Thus, incorporating the color red, or red ingredients in your dish, stimulates your appetite and makes you hungrier.

2-   Orange:  this color is capable of stimulating the brain and increasing the mental activity. Seeing the color orange in food often stirs up the sensation of hunger and makes eating food sound like a good idea.

3-   Yellow: a happy color in its nature. However, people are more likely to eat food when they are gloomy, sad, or overly calm.

4-   Green: the “healthy” color. We often associate green with healthy, nourishing, beneficial foods. It is definitely the color to use when promoting healthy eating.

5-   Turquoise: not many know that turquoise, in fact, is an appetite stimulant! (even we ourselves did not know!) This color is often correlated to joy and glee. It is used in many dessert plates, too.

6-   Blue: a color perfect for your bedroom, and not your dishes, unless you are looking to cut down on some calories. The color blue brings calmness but suppresses your appetite.

7-   Black: this color isn’t exactly the color you would want to incorporate into your food. Black is capable of totally diminishing your appetite.

We all differ, so, it is best to point out that not every color has the same effect on each and every person. Someone might see the color red, however, their appetite might not be exactly stimulated or increased.

-Sarah & Dima

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The sweetest, loveliest cookies you’ll ever taste. Guaranteed! 

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There is no sincere love than the love of food.

George Bernard Shaw

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